Perhaps you or a family member has served or is serving in the Air Force. Which rank do you think is the backbone of the Air Force? Welcome back! If you are new here make sure to hit subscribe to expand your knowledge on Military History and join the growing Premier History Community!
My dad rose from a Private in the Army Air Corps to Major General in the Air Force serving over 30 years and during three wars. He was a tough old coot, God love him...
Wait it can happen like that? Cuz I thought you can become a officer. I thought enlisted can be senior NCOs at max and pretty sure your dad needs a degree so sounds like cap
E-4s are the backbone. The term "E-4 Mafia" exists for a reason. They're the people you wanna go to if you want something done, as they always "Know a guy" in basically every career field who can pull some strings for them.
My father was a Major General and his father was a Brigadier general, then his father was a Major general. My whole family were generals; only one was a colonel. They were all serving in the Air Force. :)
You all need to grow up mentally with regards to those who have achieved a distinguished ranking through hard work and determination!! I'm sure none of you making these immature comments have any ranking !!
As an AF junior officer (non pilot) long time ago, after OTS , I never encountered a situation where I or any of the other junior officers that I knew were part of a team. Our squadron had 200 enlisted who knew their jobs and 4 officers (A Capt squadron commander, an 2nd Lt admin officer, a 1st Lt for each of two separate electronics maintenance sections.) Except for a 15 minute morning Chief of Maintenance meeting where the COM would complain about enlisted running on the flight line with their hands in their pockets, I would never even bump into the other officers on an average day. If they were married, they would go to their base housing 2 miles outside the gate for lunch. In the 3 years that I was there, I addressed every one by their full rank, realized that nothing I did had any impact on the performance of my section, and never found out what the Capt did all day.
These are all incorrect. This is how the ranks actually go. E1. Slave E2. Slave 2st class E3. Slave 1st class E4. Peon E5. Slave driver E6. Slave driver 1st class E7. Slave driver overseer E8. Slave driver lord E9. Chief slave driver overseer. O1. Sir lord overseer O2. Sir high lord overseer O3 to O10 Sir get on your hands and knees and kiss the ground I walk on bitch.
The E-4 (SRA) are the backbone.The E-3's (A1C) do most of the work, the E-5's (SSGT) do most of the training and immediate supervision. The Senior Airman are usually capable of performing all of those roles. They will be given the most difficult task and are call on to train and led junior enlisted teammates.
I am a USAF veteran, discharged honorably in 1976. I was an NCO and attained the rank of Sergeant. I find it dishonoring to now find I am classified as a departing rank of "Senior Airman E4" and no longer considered ever having been an NCO. Retroactively changing a person's rank and classification is a hit on their respect. I was a Sergeant AND and NCO and that's never going to change.
Thank you for clarifying things. My late father was a 20-year veteran of the Air Force, retiring with the grade (did I get that right?) of Senior Master Sergeant.
@@garydaniels5495 Senior Master Sergeant is E8. His rank insignia had 3 stripes with 3 “rockers” beneath, then 2 chevrons at the top. He could only go one more promotion before topping out. He did well.
Same story here, honorably discharged in 1976 as a Sergeant and I was addressed as "Sergeant" not as Senior Airman. My DD-214 states "Sergeant" not Senior Airman. I strongly agree with your comment.
Same here! Not pleased at all with this " B / S " post...!!!!!!!!! ( SGT. , 1971- 1976) [ GEEIA SQD'S ] NOT angry with the service,but, rather the Incompetent politicians ,responsible! USA,🇺🇸,USA,🇺🇸🤙🧙♂️🐺!
Backbone of the Air Force, Master Sergeant (E-7) . It's probably the last rank we're the work gets done before politics takes over. Most E-7 know they will not make any higher and will be an honest broker. If you ask them, they will tell the emperor he has no clothes if he is doing something stupid. And yes , I was a Master Sergeant for 15+ years. And yes, I was an honest broker to the good idea fairies.
Yep, part of the reason to eliminate Sgt/E-4 rank was so they could cap E-4's high year of tenure. You either moved up or got out at 10 years (I think, it could have been higher). We lost a few "career" Buck Sergeants in our shop when that dropped in the early '90s. Some were really good mechanics... Others, not so much. I remember my 1st day at the shop on Edwards as a slick sleeve Airman. A 16 yr Buck Sergeant took me for a beer after work and told me "You really don't have to work here if you don't want to. They'll leave you alone." I realized immediately why this guy hadn't made rank in 12 years.
@@chrisbranton65 I somewhat agree in that I encountered some true brown nosers while coming up through the ranks. However politics really kicks in at E-7. Maybe your career field was different. But where I was in MX, there were no individuals more vexatious than an NCO trying to check their boxes for E-8 and E-9. It's even worse nowadays with AF requiring a college degree and a board score to make E-7. On your other point I totally agree. I knew I had no interest in playing the reindeer games to go beyond that. So I retired after 22 years in. And yes, I was also the guy the 0-6s and above could rely on for the straight dope or they needed something to get done. Right. NOW.
As far as the backbone is concerned it is the Senior Airman ( what use to be a Sergeant and entry level NCO) and the Staff Sergeant. These two ranks get the responsibility but not the glory. The shop boss and or the squadron CO rely on this rank the most. The younger ranks see them as older "siblings" who have done well.
I don't know why the USAF did away with Sgt E4, buck Sgt. I can say I was a Buck Sgt and senior Airman. Got out in 1973 as a buck Sgt and went back in the reserves as a SRA. Made SSGT fast because I have already been a NCO.
I miss my days in the USAF. Got out after four years in '73, having achieved E-5 at three years time in grade, after achieving 7 level training in two AFSCs…Air Freight and Base Supply. I learned quickly that if you studied well, took every test available to advance in your specialty, and most importantly, kept your nose clean, that advancement was imminent. Those who didn’t advance were the ones who showed up late for work, frequently got into trouble, or didn’t take seriously the opportunities made available for their career advancement. The recipe for success back then was simple, yet not everyone chose to follow it. Kudo's to those who did.
My great uncle was held O-6 in the South Vietnamese Air Force. I had a pic of him back in April 1970 when he was awarded Top Gun Trophy, he was O-3 at that time.
My father served 28 years in the USAF, retired at E-9 CMSGT. I remember we were at Nellis AFB and he used to be a Buck Sgt, before it was phased out service.
Clarification is the E-4 Sgt which was a split rank with E-4 Senior Airman and E-4 Sgt was phased out after I served from 1977-1984 active duty. I originally had a 6 year enlistment and extended the enlistment one year to obtain the SSgt rank. I then served a additional 7 years in the Air Force Reserves and then was medically disqualified.
The rank structure of the USAF, Army and Marines are pretty easy - the Navy is the most confusing because a member's rank corresponds with their actual career field - so even members with the same rank can have different titles...
My cousin is William ( Billy ) Mitchell, on my mother's side of the family. Who is known as the father of the Air force. He was a Pioneer in the use of early aviation air power. He even predicted how airplanes would be utilized in the future. The kicker is, my other cousins on my father's side, are the Wright Brothers ! So both sides of my family made their contributions to aviation in one form or another. Pretty Cool, if I do say so myself ! : )
I served in the United States Air Force for 30 years. I've commented on other videos of this sort, and when it comes to the US military, the term "rank" is incorrectly applied as the correct term is "grade." Rank only refers to seniority within a grade, i.e., a staff sergeant promoted to that grade prior to other staff sergeants "outranks" them. Next, including First Sergeants, Command Chief Master Sergeants,, the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, and the Senior Enlisted advisor to the Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff unnecessarily confuses the entire issue as these are not "grades" or "ranks," but specific duty roles and have nothing to do with the grade or rank structure of the US Air Force. Regarding Second Lieutenants, I cannot think of any instance where a Second Lieutenant has the opportunity to hold the position of a Flight Chief or Deputy Commander. Achieving the grade of Captain is not "generally" achieved after four years of service, but specifically and exactly achieved when the officer has four years of commissioned service. There are few command positions for Majors, they are, in most cases, staff officers at Wing or Command level. The video is correct with respect to the "General of the Air Force" (5-star) grade as it was "created" during WWII to afford US general officers equal or higher status to foreign grades non-existent in the US such as Field Marshall. The video is incorrect in that no Air Force officer has worn this grade. The only officer to hold this grade was General of the Air Force Henry H. "Hap" Arnold, and the only person to serve in this grade in two services as he held the grade of the General of the Army Air Forces prior to being designated the General of the Air Force. With respect to the final comment in the video, there's no way to determine which "grade" is the "backbone" of the Air Force. The Air Force is a team, and all members of the team, at all grades, are vital to mission success.
My Dad was a Glider Pilot in WWII. Even though he was a qualified pilot, because he was foreign born(born on madeira island, Portugal in 1915) he was not allowed to be a regular pilot. When the war ended his rank was FLIGHT OFFICER! He stated that he was in the invasion of Sicily, Holland, D-DAY and over the Rhine. He is buried at the NATIONAL CEMETERY in Santa Fe.
The Five Star Ranks are not retired. They are held in reserve for major wars when working with other countries so that we have an equal rank to their Field or Air Marshall ranks.
Incorrect. The promotions to five-star general during and after WW2 were for the specific individuals who received them. The 0-11 pay grade ceased to exist when GA Omar Bradley passed away. GEN Schwarzkopf had no problem leading a multi-national coalition against Iraq despite being "only" a full general.
@@roberthudson1959 not completely correct. during the time of major conflict ( like WW III), the President, Congress and Joint chiefs can work together to appoint a 4 star General to fill a 5 Star General position . They become the General of the Army/Air Force/Space Force/Marines respectively and Fleet Admiral for the Navy. O-11 pay grade is NOT Retired just held in reserve for use in a major world war.
@@ruscherry7985 If I remember correctly, he was General of the ARMY prior to being apppointed GENAF, due to the Army Air Corps being seperated from the Army and made its OWN Service Branch.
My grandfather served for over 30 years through 3 wars and was a highly decorated colonel. its sad because he almost made to to a brigadier general but he was never promoted because the war ended
We had a dude in our flight that was a perpetual fuck-up. He was busted to airman basic. He was always pushing his luck. He became a disgruntalled young chap with contempt for the Air Force. He went and purchased a twin set of birds, pinned them on his blues, marched out in front of the officers club like he was waiting for his wife or girlfriend to show up. He was way too young looking to be a full bird anyway and some major called the APs on him, took him away, canned his ass for impersonating a senior officer. I'm sure he was dishonorably discharged after all this nonesense and probably got snatched up by the US Army and tossed into the jungle in Nam. I remember him putting on his rain coat, like a cape, climbing onto a baracks fire escape and yelling loudly, "I am Air Man!" Had he jumped he may not have lived to pretend to become a bird colonel. A true story to show there was a real "failure to communicate".
Staff Sergeants E5 are the backbones, they are proficient in their duties but also supervisors to lower enlisted. Basically meaning they do work and lead airman to do work. Senior airmen E4 do work but unless you have been through ALS you don't supervise troops, and you're still not considered an NCO with NCO responsibilities. Technical Sergeants E6 start to get out of doing work role and just manage more people role. So E5 is right in that middle part carrying most work centers and sections on their backs. This might not be how all AFSCs or work centers are but from my experience this is my opinion.
The history of the enlisted ranks as noted in the comments overlook the fact that the "Airman" titles underwent changes not mentioned. For instance, prior to and during the the Korean War (June 1950 to July 1953), the three lowest Air Force enlisted ranks following basic training were Airman Third Class (A3C, one stripe), Airman Second Class (A2C, two stripes) and Airman First Class (A1C, three stripes). The latter was followed by Staff Sargent. Senior Airman (SrA, three stripes) did not exist until about 1976, when it replaced A1C pay grade E4, but lost NCO status. The change was followed over time by other adjustments in its classification and responsibilities. A3C was eliminated; and A1C was dropped to pay grade E3 with two stripes. Notably, many of those serving during the era of the Korean War were WWII vets recalled from Reserve and Guard units, who continued to refer to ranks by the titles common at the time of their service, e.g., Pfc (one stripe), Corporal (two stripes), Sargent (three stripes, also called Buck Sargent). The military was somewhat slow making the necessary adjustments, particularly in NCO and TIG classifications, following, then, President Harry S Truman's creation of the USAF from the USAAF in 1947.
My step dad was a staff sergeant in the air force and my dad was a corporal in the marines and my uncle a sergeant in the army. I never served due to asthma.
When I entered active duty in USAF, after grad school, at 25.in Oct 1969, I went for 2 months to Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS, 2 Mos after Hurricane Camille hit the Gulf Coast in August 1969. I did with other new officers manage to visit New Orleans, 90 miles west. Later Jan 1970 until I had 4 and half years, I was at Pease AF Bade. Portsmouth, NH, and after being the 509th Combat Support Squadron Section Commander, as a Captain, with an E7 First Sergeant, and some other staff, in the barracks building and then administered to 450 Airmen. I agree that Senior Airman and Jr. NCO's do most of the daily work. I first as a 2LT had an E8 and other Airmen teach me a lot about my position. As I left active service in 1973 after the Vietnam War ended.
I remember there was a Sgt. rank once in the AF in the 1970s to the 1980s. Same pay grade as an SrA. And there was no star on the chevrons from Amn. to SrA. I served from 1979 to 1995.
When I was in, there was a Sgt rank, E4 like SrA but the difference was a Sgt was an NCO whereas a SrA was not. Also, the stripes for MSgt were all on the bottom. You didn't get a chevron on top until SMSgt
If you said there is no general in the US Air Force had served as 5-Star General.. think again and do research on it. We Got Air Force 5-Star General Henry H. Arnold. so yea Heads Up!
On May 7, 1949 Hap Arnold was appointed the first general of the Air Force, five-star rank, by the U.S. Congress. He died at his ranch home, Valley of the Moon, near Sonoma, Calif., Jan. 15, 1950. Only person in AF History to obtain this rank. So the vid was wrong by saying nobody ever held/wore this rank
My ex father in law was a chief master sergeant air force stationed in Tehran in the 70s leading up to the over throw of the shah , he would tell you he ran the base and anyone coming onto the base no matter how high the rank didn't make a move without him knowing about it, I believe him somehow. He knew how to get things done, and done right.
I think the E-4 is the backbone of enlisted personel. I was proud to have attained this rank. Had I re --upped I was promised to attain the rank of staff sarg. Almost all the E-5s I rubbed elbows with were mostly losers, lazy louts that didn't have many smarts, became overbearing bullies that because of their rank, with little chance of going to tech, or above, turned them into assholes. I had a E-5 shift superviser NCO that became a good friend. He advised me not to reenlist. He was a black man who was nearing retirement at the rank of staff sargent. He was very smart and had a great personality, willing to listen to and care about his boys and offer whatever advise he could.
General of the Air Force. 35 years. It's Mickey. A.M.D. I earned The Congressional Medal of Honor and The Silver Star. I am an Astronaut for N.A.S.A. A fighter pilot. A bomber pilot.
I was in Jr ROTC (High School) in Illinois where I grew up on 4 mile sq Family Farm, and in the ROTC in College first two years. Then my USAAC WWII Fighter Pilot vet. father suddenly passed away of Cancer, weaked by Malaria contracted in Burma or China during the war. He taught me to fly at 14 yo and i was crop dusting while in HS. Junior yr at the Univ I struck a deal with the USAF Reserves, they finish paying for my BSc degree and I go active AF after graduation and off to Vietnam. I trained on Helo's and ground attack Fixed Wings at Hamilton AFB. After 4 years of Crop Dusting in both Piper Pawnees and Korean War Surplus Bell helos, i did more teaching them how ground attack from tree level then learning how to fly their way. On July 2nd I was shipped off to Nam as a Lt with the 20th SOS (Green Hornets) 27th Spl Ops Wing, out of Bien Hoa AFB flying UH-1E and F Gunships on support missions covering Marines and Ranger ops, other suppression ops for ground troops or artillery, and often called in to bailout some trouble the Army Calvary had gotten into and couldn't fix themselves with their own Helos. Later we were moved to Thailand Royal AFB because it was a straighter shot to the northern entry point of the Ho Chi Minh "highway", straffing and blowing up their supply lines on a daily basis when not flying in "the spooks" (CIA) into remote hostile territory or on some kill mission behind the lines in N Vietnam or Laos. I made Capt soon and then Major, and back to Capt for disobeying mission orders and telling off the Brass, because it would have lead to certain loss of life in my squadron, my men and friends. I spent 1970 thru 1973 in SE Asia and stayed a Capt refusing any promotions. I was shot thru one thigh and one calf by .30 cal ground fire, but got us back to the closest Marine outpost. When I came home I taught combat helo tactics for 2 more years and returned to Reserves status for a total 18 years in the USAF retiring as ....... a Captain, 27th Spl Ops Wing. Oh BTW, You do know that Sgts are paid more than a Lt and a Master Sgt is paid more than a Capt. My MSgt, my essential "crew chiefs", who fixed our bird, ran the door gun (UH-1) and was also our Medic to patch us up, was worth every penny of that pay that was more than mine!
My salute to you Major. You no doubt earned it Sir . Glad you made it back and are still here to tell about it . You're no doubt one hell of a man and flyer of what ever rust bucket they want you to pull combat mission in. If you we4 around LA In Calif we'd have to go out and get drunk in honor of those boys who shed their blood so I can type this message on this phone . How do you say THANX to young men that brave . I have no clue other the. To go and get drunk with their memory on you mind , All the Bird dogging chicks they missed out on , all the good hunting a d fishing and the good times with family and friends Sum Bitch it's just not right . But I can't do nothing about it only wish I could . I'd have split my life with any hero that didn't come back I live one year be lives the next over and over that way he dont have to be dead . Me . Either.
Thank u to our brave soldiers were so grateful, thankful for u all I have 3 generations of military members in my family plus some day I would love to join military my great grandfather was on one of the beaches on D Day 2 bronze stars 2 purple hearts💜💜 then my grandpa was in Vietnam and my uncle was on the USS Midway in the gulf war thank u to all our veterans
A glaring mistake toward the end of this video, whereupon it’s said that, “No one has ever held the rank of five-star general in the Air Force. During World War II, Hap Arnold held that rank, along with Eisenhower, Marshall, Admiral King, MacArthur…in their branches. When I went through basic training at Lackland AFB, there was a movie theater on base named Arnold Theater, and the TIs were always quick to point out that it was named for the Air Force’s only Five-star General. Off course, Arnold's position was that of chief of the Army Air Forces in 1945, since the Air Force didn’t become an independent service until 1947. Until that time it was a part of the Army, just as the Marine Corp is part of the Navy.
I think there is too many sergeant ranks in army they should change those ranks for something more interesting instead of 8 different sergeants.......don't you think it's boring?
I thought "Hap" Arnold held the 5 star rank in the Air Force, after holding the 5 star rank in the USAAC. The only man to hold it in two different services.
Served in the USAF 65-69 made E4 in early 68. The air Force at that time had a policy of "minimum time in rank" which meant no matter what you had to wait a certain period of time before becoming eligible for promotion. It became very effective as a reenlistment tool as you could be promoted prior to the end of your first enlistment but official date of rank was just prior to discharge or immediately thereafter. Don't know how it is today but it worked pretty well back in 69.
I was enlisted from '66 to '70 and rose to E-4... would've received E-5, but I left USAF to complete my undergrad degree. In retrospect, I now wish I'd gone AFROTC and applied for a Reserve commission upon graduation. There were fewer options 50 years ago. I'm glad to learn all the military services encourage and support ambitious men and women who want to improve, upgrade, and advance ....either the enlisted or commissioned officer route. Ranks may change, but the work never ends. LOL Now, 50+ years later, the USAF as with the other branches, provides much more sophisticated / advanced training and opportunities to improve and upgrade one's professional skills. Also the stench of Viet-Nam has largely disappeared along with the men and women who have retired. That period was challenging for career men and women. Their guts, perseverance, and intelligence + wisdom from their service elevated the military services. As I've retired from the investment biz, I now perform pro bono (no charge to the client aka "free") financial planning and investment counseling to enlisted and officer clients. I'm gratified at the high-quality people who have entered and grown into highly skilled professionals. In addition to the excellent training schools in the military services, many NCOs have earned undergraduate degrees and, in rare cases, advanced degrees. I've read there are serious conversations for experienced men and women to receive a higher rank when entering the service. Right now, I understand only people with professional degrees (medicine, law, health services) may enter active duty with a rank above O-1. In retrospect, during my USAF service, I met and served with many of the finest managers I've ever known in my 60+ years of business.
Ihave to agree that E4 SR airmen and E5 Staff Sgts are the backbone of the service. After serving in Japan and the Philippines w.,, I came back to be xstationed at Edwards AFB. INN THE MOJAVE DESERT. SHORTLY AFTER. MY TRANSFER TO Edward's > became the ward master oof the med surg unit of t he e hospital with 25 med techs working for covering 3 shifts. The nursing staff was. 12 RN first lieutenants under an O4 long service major. It was a good group of. Peoplrr. As a staff sergeant I was also the senior. Single enlistedtd man in the barracks so I became responsible for all the. enlisted men living there. I loved serving. If I had it to do all over again, I would have gone career
Retired at 22 years and e-9? Strange 95% of e-9's take that long to get there. You make it that far you stick around to enjoy it and build time in rank for retirement. Not sure I buy your story but ok
What about the years we didn't have a star in our stripes. A2c, A1c and SRA, Senior Airman. Sergeant had a star. SRA & SGT at that time were both E4's.
I think there is too many sergeant ranks in army they should change those ranks for something more interesting instead of 8 different sergeants.......don't you think it's boring?
I enlisted in the AF right after high school (1964). I knew if I didn't I'd get drafted. Sure enough, I got my draft notice a few weeks into AF basic training. We all had a good laugh. I did my 4 yrs & separated. Some 4 1/2 yrs later I went back in. Stayed out too long & lost my E-4 rank. Started over as an E-2. Finally retired as a SMSgt at 23.5 yrs. Doing it the hard way, I made 10 stripes, all told!
At a certain point, I just call them Sergeant, as I would in the Army. Why bother, they’re Sergeants, like us, unless they have the diamonds or stars. Their SSG is our SGT, and used to have a “Buck” SGT at E4, our CPL.
While makling Medical Rounds in the old Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, I picked up a chart that said, "O 10". General Westmorland. I made sure to not go anywhere near that room....
There's nothing confusing about Air Force ranks! They are no different than the ranks of the rest of the US military. Among enlisted US military ranks there are nine ranks, E-1 to E 9. Only the titles of those ranks differ from each branch of the US military! As for the officer ranks, the ranks are the same also, O-1 to O-10. The Army, Air Force and Marine Corp officer rank titles are the same. The Navy and Coast Guard have different officer rank titles. The insignias of the enlisted ranks are different for each US military rank. Although the Navy and Coast Guard enlisted insignias are almost the same. The officer insignias are identical in ALL US military branches.
In July of 60, while in tech school, I lost my first stripe. A week later when everyone else was getting their second stripe, I got my first stripe back. I don't remember when I got my second, but when I was discharged, I had 5 years in grade for my third. Tells you something, doesn't it? The Air Force doesn't like Alpha males!!
My dad was an airman in the Air Force, retired as a Technical Sergeant (E-6) in 1998. I would say an E-6 is the backbone of the Air Force and the other branches.
The USAF has E-1 thru E-9 as "ranks" anything else is an office or special assignment given to someone with a "rank", such as Chief Master Sargent of the USAF, which is the highest rated Chief Master Sargent in the USAF, still just a Chief Master Sargent. While important in their own right, please stop confusing these for people as ranks.
This was from a poster I saw, in one of the Chief Master Sgt's offices. 2nd LT.: He can listen to the words of God, but not see or speak to God. 1st LT: He's allowed to look at God but say nothing and pass the word of God down to 2nd LTs. Captain: He can look at God, take orders from God, maybe even talk with God, but must follow God's orders. Major: He may stand with God, talk but only for short periods of time. He too passes the word of God down to those under him. LT Colonel: He can talk with God, ask questions, even joke once and a while with God. Colonel: HE can joke with God, make policy, and laugh with him, as well as passing down the orders from God. Chief Master Sgt. He is God. Without him, nothing works, nothing gets done. And nothing flies as it didn't get fixed. Me ... I was just one of those lowly three stripe Sgts, one of the last before they made them Senior Airmen.
i recently enlisted into the Air Force Reserve! i’m becoming an E2 Airman since i did two years of Air Force JROTC as a cadet Senior Airman! for the E4 rank Senior Airman it used to be called Buck Sergeant or Sergeant during the Cold War and Vietnam War era since it has three stripes! to add on to that the Air Force used to have Warrant Officer ranks because the Air Force was under the Army during WWI and WWII as the Army Air Corps and Army Air Force and Chief Master Sergeant used to be two stripes on top but now it’s three stripes on top because the rank insignias changed in the 1990’s when the Air Force was going through a huge change after the Cold War ended with that Master Sergeant used to be one stripe in the bottom and Senior Master Sergeant used to be one stripe on top! 👍🏽
I think there is too many sergeant ranks in the army they should change those ranks for something more interesting instead of 8 different sergeants.......don't you think it's boring? once you hit sergeant then you with this rank forever imagine having 8 different lieutenants instead of captain, major, colonel and general.
Can’t understand why the Air Force went with the Tiger Stripe pattern. The Pattern was originally adopted from the South Vietnamese Army for close range jungle warfare by US Special Forces during the war.
When the Air Force created the rank of Chief Master Sargent, my father had the honor of being in the first group elevated. When he entered an NCO club you could often hear people say "Zebra in the room" He spent 35 years in the Air Force (he was there on the first day that the Air Force was created, having spent WW2 in the Navy) he found every loop hole to stay in. I'm sure when they finally retired him they had to change the locks on his office to keep him out.
I’m old skool 3 stripes is a Buck sergeant. It’s too army now six down one up is senior MSGT six down two up Chief MSGT. Again it’s too army looking now to me. My opinion don’t mean I’m right.
In Indian Air Force i find only Sergeant rank to be the backbone of the service.They can carry out tasks and supervise competently. They are vested with the required certifications.
For enlisted, the Staff Sergeant. For officers, the Captain. These guys run the Air Force and it would be lost without them. I served for 27 years in the Air Force.
I think there is too many sergeant ranks in army they should change those ranks for something more interesting instead of 8 different sergeants.......don't you think it's boring? once you hit sergeant then you with this rank forever imagine having 8 different lieutenants instead of major colonel and general.
@@Voltomesssergeant literally means servant in Latin and the officer ranks were created by the French and organized the trusted by the British. Military ranks are a lot older than the country. The reason why Lt Gen is higher because it used to be called Sergeant Major General and 4 star general was called captain general that’s why George Washington was referred to as captain despite having general rank displayed
The entire comment section making this video about them and their, uncle dad, grandpa, auntie, nephew, grandma, sisters cousins brothers dad. Aunties grandmas little brothers uncles dads best friend. 😒
Perhaps you or a family member has served or is serving in the Air Force. Which rank do you think is the backbone of the Air Force?
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My granps served in the airforce during Vietnam. Also could you do marine corp ranks in order it would me a lot to me if you could
Thanks Derek, will be a video soon!
My great uncle was a full bird corneal
My great uncle was a full bird Colonel. He served in South Vietnam. He was the first commanding officer of a fighter squadron.
My uncle was a lieutenant colonel he was in the air force for 20 years
My dad rose from a Private in the Army Air Corps to Major General in the Air Force serving over 30 years and during three wars. He was a tough old coot, God love him...
Wow thanks for his service
Thank you for your service
Remind him whenever you visit his... passed on... self, that he was one of the many great people in this world. Thank you "George's" dad.
Was your dad Gen Aldridge? His background mirrors The Gen I worked with at Vandenberg AFB
Wait it can happen like that? Cuz I thought you can become a officer. I thought enlisted can be senior NCOs at max and pretty sure your dad needs a degree so sounds like cap
E-4s are the backbone. The term "E-4 Mafia" exists for a reason. They're the people you wanna go to if you want something done, as they always "Know a guy" in basically every career field who can pull some strings for them.
Nice Timothy
Commonly know as the slave driver.
E-4 is Senior Airman (Formerly Sergeants)
@@Thomas.Wiggin i believe it was called buck Sargent.
@@frankcastle9691 Also true
It doesn't matter which branch of the service you are looking at. The backbone of the service is the E-4/E-5.
My father was a Major General and his father was a Brigadier general, then his father was a Major general. My whole family were generals; only one was a colonel. They were all serving in the Air Force. :)
and who you are?
Ok lt Dan
good for you, do want a brownie button
And Your a Senior Greeter at Walmart?? Triple Banana Holder??
You all need to grow up mentally with regards to those who have achieved a distinguished ranking through hard work and determination!! I'm sure none of you making these immature comments have any ranking !!
My grand daughter in the air force and I'm so proud of her 😌😊💖
As a Air Force Veteran, I believe team work is the backbone of the Air Force
Thank you for your service
@@russellmargaglio4948 All praise to Jesus and you are welcome!
Ok?
As an AF junior officer (non pilot) long time ago, after OTS , I never encountered a situation where I or any of the other junior officers that I knew were part of a team. Our squadron had 200 enlisted who knew their jobs and 4 officers (A Capt squadron commander, an 2nd Lt admin officer, a 1st Lt for each of two separate electronics maintenance sections.) Except for a 15 minute morning Chief of Maintenance meeting where the COM would complain about enlisted running on the flight line with their hands in their pockets, I would never even bump into the other officers on an average day. If they were married, they would go to their base housing 2 miles outside the gate for lunch. In the 3 years that I was there, I addressed every one by their full rank, realized that nothing I did had any impact on the performance of my section, and never found out what the Capt did all day.
These are all incorrect. This is how the ranks actually go.
E1. Slave
E2. Slave 2st class
E3. Slave 1st class
E4. Peon
E5. Slave driver
E6. Slave driver 1st class
E7. Slave driver overseer
E8. Slave driver lord
E9. Chief slave driver overseer.
O1. Sir lord overseer
O2. Sir high lord overseer
O3 to O10 Sir get on your hands and knees and kiss the ground I walk on bitch.
😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@RobotRebelCinema why is that funny
@@frankcastle9691 It's funny because it's dead on and no one openly says it out loud
The E-4 (SRA) are the backbone.The E-3's (A1C) do most of the work, the E-5's (SSGT) do most of the training and immediate supervision. The Senior Airman are usually capable of performing all of those roles. They will be given the most difficult task and are call on to train and led junior enlisted teammates.
@@michaelcaldwell3181 true but as enlisted your still the peon working bee thats expendable.
I am a USAF veteran, discharged honorably in 1976. I was an NCO and attained the rank of Sergeant. I find it dishonoring to now find I am classified as a departing rank of "Senior Airman E4" and no longer considered ever having been an NCO. Retroactively changing a person's rank and classification is a hit on their respect. I was a Sergeant AND and NCO and that's never going to change.
Thank you for clarifying things. My late father was a 20-year veteran of the Air Force, retiring with the grade (did I get that right?) of Senior Master Sergeant.
@@garydaniels5495 Senior Master Sergeant is E8. His rank insignia had 3 stripes with 3 “rockers” beneath, then 2 chevrons at the top. He could only go one more promotion before topping out. He did well.
Same story here, honorably discharged in 1976 as a Sergeant and I was addressed as "Sergeant" not as Senior Airman. My DD-214 states "Sergeant" not Senior Airman. I strongly agree with your comment.
Same here! E-4 Buck Sergeant. Served 78-82.
Same here! Not pleased at all with this " B / S " post...!!!!!!!!!
( SGT. , 1971- 1976)
[ GEEIA SQD'S ]
NOT angry with the service,but, rather the
Incompetent politicians ,responsible!
USA,🇺🇸,USA,🇺🇸🤙🧙♂️🐺!
I left the USAF in 1980 as an E-4 Sergeant. This rank no longer exists.
Same here in 1984 after 1 year in the TXANG after 8 years in the regular AF.. Now it is Senior Airman and jumps straight to Staff Sergeant.
1973, I was a Buck Sgt when I got out. That was a rank you worked and did paper work. I was in CE.
Backbone of the Air Force, Master Sergeant (E-7) . It's probably the last rank we're the work gets done before politics takes over. Most E-7 know they will not make any higher and will be an honest broker. If you ask them, they will tell the emperor he has no clothes if he is doing something stupid. And yes , I was a Master Sergeant for 15+ years. And yes, I was an honest broker to the good idea fairies.
Yep, part of the reason to eliminate Sgt/E-4 rank was so they could cap E-4's high year of tenure. You either moved up or got out at 10 years (I think, it could have been higher). We lost a few "career" Buck Sergeants in our shop when that dropped in the early '90s. Some were really good mechanics... Others, not so much. I remember my 1st day at the shop on Edwards as a slick sleeve Airman. A 16 yr Buck Sergeant took me for a beer after work and told me "You really don't have to work here if you don't want to. They'll leave you alone." I realized immediately why this guy hadn't made rank in 12 years.
@@chrisbranton65 I somewhat agree in that I encountered some true brown nosers while coming up through the ranks. However politics really kicks in at E-7. Maybe your career field was different. But where I was in MX, there were no individuals more vexatious than an NCO trying to check their boxes for E-8 and E-9. It's even worse nowadays with AF requiring a college degree and a board score to make E-7. On your other point I totally agree. I knew I had no interest in playing the reindeer games to go beyond that. So I retired after 22 years in. And yes, I was also the guy the 0-6s and above could rely on for the straight dope or they needed something to get done. Right. NOW.
As far as the backbone is concerned it is the Senior Airman ( what use to be a Sergeant and entry level NCO) and the Staff Sergeant. These two ranks get the responsibility but not the glory. The shop boss and or the squadron CO rely on this rank the most. The younger ranks see them as older "siblings" who have done well.
For real. This is even more true right now with my career field. They are moving the staff sergeant position more toward senior airman.
@@devinjohnson4480 Yeah they mentioned Staff Seargants doing 'EPR's. No, SRA can and do those as well for the lower ranking airmen.
I don't know why the USAF did away with Sgt E4, buck Sgt. I can say I was a Buck Sgt and senior Airman. Got out in 1973 as a buck Sgt and went back in the reserves as a SRA. Made SSGT fast because I have already been a NCO.
I miss my days in the USAF. Got out after four years in '73, having achieved E-5 at three years time in grade, after achieving 7 level training in two AFSCs…Air Freight and Base Supply. I learned quickly that if you studied well, took every test available to advance in your specialty, and most importantly, kept your nose clean, that advancement was imminent. Those who didn’t advance were the ones who showed up late for work, frequently got into trouble, or didn’t take seriously the opportunities made available for their career advancement. The recipe for success back then was simple, yet not everyone chose to follow it. Kudo's to those who did.
My great uncle was held O-6 in the South Vietnamese Air Force. I had a pic of him back in April 1970 when he was awarded Top Gun Trophy, he was O-3 at that time.
My father served 28 years in the USAF, retired at E-9 CMSGT. I remember we were at Nellis AFB and he used to be a Buck Sgt, before it was phased out service.
Thanks for sharing xShadowFTW
Clarification is the E-4 Sgt which was a split rank with E-4 Senior Airman and E-4 Sgt was phased out after I served from 1977-1984 active duty. I originally had a 6 year enlistment and extended the enlistment one year to obtain the SSgt rank. I then served a additional 7 years in the Air Force Reserves and then was medically disqualified.
The rank structure of the USAF, Army and Marines are pretty easy - the Navy is the most confusing because a member's rank corresponds with their actual career field - so even members with the same rank can have different titles...
My cousin is William ( Billy ) Mitchell, on my mother's side of the family. Who is known as the father of the Air force. He was a Pioneer in the use of early aviation air power. He even predicted how airplanes would be utilized in the future. The kicker is, my other cousins on my father's side, are the Wright Brothers ! So both sides of my family made their contributions to aviation in one form or another. Pretty Cool, if I do say so myself ! : )
Wow thanks for sharing Charles, great story
You are cousin to someone born 143 years ago? BULLSHIT
Amazing story. You should write a novel.
By far your family has had quite a history forming what was the beginning of our Great Airforce
@@carolynklenk8467 Yes it sure is! It made for some really good oral reports in school when I was a kid.
I served in the United States Air Force for 30 years. I've commented on other videos of this sort, and when it comes to the US military, the term "rank" is incorrectly applied as the correct term is "grade." Rank only refers to seniority within a grade, i.e., a staff sergeant promoted to that grade prior to other staff sergeants "outranks" them. Next, including First Sergeants, Command Chief Master Sergeants,, the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, and the Senior Enlisted advisor to the Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff unnecessarily confuses the entire issue as these are not "grades" or "ranks," but specific duty roles and have nothing to do with the grade or rank structure of the US Air Force. Regarding Second Lieutenants, I cannot think of any instance where a Second Lieutenant has the opportunity to hold the position of a Flight Chief or Deputy Commander. Achieving the grade of Captain is not "generally" achieved after four years of service, but specifically and exactly achieved when the officer has four years of commissioned service. There are few command positions for Majors, they are, in most cases, staff officers at Wing or Command level. The video is correct with respect to the "General of the Air Force" (5-star) grade as it was "created" during WWII to afford US general officers equal or higher status to foreign grades non-existent in the US such as Field Marshall. The video is incorrect in that no Air Force officer has worn this grade. The only officer to hold this grade was General of the Air Force Henry H. "Hap" Arnold, and the only person to serve in this grade in two services as he held the grade of the General of the Army Air Forces prior to being designated the General of the Air Force. With respect to the final comment in the video, there's no way to determine which "grade" is the "backbone" of the Air Force. The Air Force is a team, and all members of the team, at all grades, are vital to mission success.
My Dad was a Glider Pilot in WWII. Even though he was a qualified pilot, because he was foreign born(born on madeira island, Portugal in 1915) he was not allowed to be a regular pilot. When the war ended his rank was FLIGHT OFFICER! He stated that he was in the invasion of Sicily, Holland, D-DAY and over the Rhine. He is buried at the NATIONAL CEMETERY in Santa Fe.
The Five Star Ranks are not retired. They are held in reserve for major wars when working with other countries so that we have an equal rank to their Field or Air Marshall ranks.
Incorrect. The promotions to five-star general during and after WW2 were for the specific individuals who received them. The 0-11 pay grade ceased to exist when GA Omar Bradley passed away. GEN Schwarzkopf had no problem leading a multi-national coalition against Iraq despite being "only" a full general.
@@roberthudson1959 not completely correct. during the time of major conflict ( like WW III), the President, Congress and Joint chiefs can work together to appoint a 4 star General to fill a 5 Star General position . They become the General of the Army/Air Force/Space Force/Marines respectively and Fleet Admiral for the Navy. O-11 pay grade is NOT Retired just held in reserve for use in a major world war.
Hi. Let us not forget GenAF H. H. (Hap) Arnold, the first and only 5 star general, of the Air Force.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_H._Arnold
@@ruscherry7985 If I remember correctly, he was General of the ARMY prior to being apppointed GENAF, due to the Army Air Corps being seperated from the Army and made its OWN Service Branch.
Who else is in ROTC and has a test coming up?
I was raised Air Force... My father served for almost 22 years... He retired at the rank of Master Sergeant ( E-7)
So did mine.
Lol same the same years and rank
Too many sergeants in this army they should change those ranks for something more interesting instead of 8 different sergeants.......
@@Voltomess it literally doesn’t matter. It’s about accomplishing a mission, not arguing about what ranks are called 😂
Mine too 1954-79 better USAF then too
As a retired USAF Security Forces TSgt...TSgt is the lych pin.
My grandfather served for over 30 years through 3 wars and was a highly decorated colonel. its sad because he almost made to to a brigadier general but he was never promoted because the war ended
We had a dude in our flight that was a perpetual fuck-up. He was busted to airman basic. He was always pushing his luck. He became a disgruntalled young chap with contempt for the Air Force. He went and purchased a twin set of birds, pinned them on his blues, marched out in front of the officers club like he was waiting for his wife or girlfriend to show up. He was way too young looking to be a full bird anyway and some major called the APs on him, took him away, canned his ass for impersonating a senior officer. I'm sure he was dishonorably discharged after all this nonesense and probably got snatched up by the US Army and tossed into the jungle in Nam. I remember him putting on his rain coat, like a cape, climbing onto a baracks fire escape and yelling loudly, "I am Air Man!" Had he jumped he may not have lived to pretend to become a bird colonel. A true story to show there was a real "failure to communicate".
Staff Sergeants E5 are the backbones, they are proficient in their duties but also supervisors to lower enlisted. Basically meaning they do work and lead airman to do work. Senior airmen E4 do work but unless you have been through ALS you don't supervise troops, and you're still not considered an NCO with NCO responsibilities. Technical Sergeants E6 start to get out of doing work role and just manage more people role. So E5 is right in that middle part carrying most work centers and sections on their backs. This might not be how all AFSCs or work centers are but from my experience this is my opinion.
Yes airmen are the work slaves and the Sargents are slave drivers.
@@frankcastle9691 sounds like you got kicked out before you made NCO rank or you never been in the military.
@@Silky808 yes thank God, I was glad to be out of communism. I didn't care to become a slave driver.
The history of the enlisted ranks as noted in the comments overlook the fact that the "Airman" titles underwent changes not mentioned. For instance, prior to and during the the Korean War (June 1950 to July 1953), the three lowest Air Force enlisted ranks following basic training were Airman Third Class (A3C, one stripe), Airman Second Class (A2C, two stripes) and Airman First Class (A1C, three stripes). The latter was followed by Staff Sargent. Senior Airman (SrA, three stripes) did not exist until about 1976, when it replaced A1C pay grade E4, but lost NCO status. The change was followed over time by other adjustments in its classification and responsibilities. A3C was eliminated; and A1C was dropped to pay grade E3 with two stripes. Notably, many of those serving during the era of the Korean War were WWII vets recalled from Reserve and Guard units, who continued to refer to ranks by the titles common at the time of their service, e.g., Pfc (one stripe), Corporal (two stripes), Sargent (three stripes, also called Buck Sargent). The military was somewhat slow making the necessary adjustments, particularly in NCO and TIG classifications, following, then, President Harry S Truman's creation of the USAF from the USAAF in 1947.
This is actually my Family member rank 2:37
I retired from the USAF/USAFR after 22 years. I made it to E6.
Behind every officer there is an equally qualified NCO
My step dad was a staff sergeant in the air force and my dad was a corporal in the marines and my uncle a sergeant in the army. I never served due to asthma.
Great video man, This will help a lot on my Airforce project. 2 good things was your voice was easily understandable and not that long of a video
Glad you enjoyed it Soham G, thanks!
My wife served 6 years in the Air National Guard and obtained the rank of E-4 Sergeant by the time she got out.
Yep, you used to be able to get autmatic SGT rank e-4 after so much time in the AF. Not anymore. First rank as Sgt is Staff Sgt. E5.
When I entered active duty in USAF, after
grad school, at 25.in Oct 1969, I went for
2 months to Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS, 2 Mos
after Hurricane Camille hit the Gulf Coast
in August 1969. I did with other new officers
manage to visit New Orleans, 90 miles west.
Later Jan 1970 until I had 4 and half years,
I was at Pease AF Bade. Portsmouth, NH, and after being the 509th Combat Support
Squadron Section Commander, as a Captain,
with an E7 First Sergeant, and some other
staff, in the barracks building and then administered to 450 Airmen.
I agree that Senior Airman and Jr. NCO's
do most of the daily work.
I first as a 2LT had an E8 and other Airmen
teach me a lot about my position.
As I left active service in 1973 after the
Vietnam War ended.
I love how the background was a Flight Engineer while discussing the 5-star XD We should be Generals!!! JK
Great video but I wonder when they will make one about the US space force
Interesting Homy!
My grand father was in the Air Force for 24 yrs and was only a staff sergeant?
I remember there was a Sgt. rank once in the AF in the 1970s to the 1980s. Same pay grade as an SrA. And there was no star on the chevrons from Amn. to SrA. I served from 1979 to 1995.
Yes it used to be that way. It actually changed in the 90's.
When I was in, there was a Sgt rank, E4 like SrA but the difference was a Sgt was an NCO whereas a SrA was not.
Also, the stripes for MSgt were all on the bottom. You didn't get a chevron on top until SMSgt
Yes...same when I served '67-'71, 3 striper, designated Sgt.
Yep, we got the white star or blue star
If you said there is no general in the US Air Force had served as 5-Star General.. think again and do research on it. We Got Air Force 5-Star General Henry H. Arnold. so yea Heads Up!
my dad retired after 22 years, and made it to Master Seargent
On May 7, 1949 Hap Arnold was appointed the first general of the Air Force, five-star rank, by the U.S. Congress. He died at his ranch home, Valley of the Moon, near Sonoma, Calif., Jan. 15, 1950. Only person in AF History to obtain this rank. So the vid was wrong by saying nobody ever held/wore this rank
I've never met a 1lt that outranked a tech
My ex father in law was a chief master sergeant air force stationed in Tehran in the 70s leading up to the over throw of the shah , he would tell you he ran the base and anyone coming onto the base no matter how high the rank didn't make a move without him knowing about it, I believe him somehow. He knew how to get things done, and done right.
Now days every one is is an E8 or above to many chiefs and no worker !
I think the E-4 is the backbone of enlisted personel. I was proud to have attained this rank. Had I re --upped I was promised to attain the rank of staff sarg. Almost all the E-5s I rubbed elbows with were mostly losers, lazy louts that didn't have many smarts, became overbearing bullies that because of their rank, with little chance of going to tech, or above, turned them into assholes. I had a E-5 shift superviser NCO that became a good friend. He advised me not to reenlist. He was a black man who was nearing retirement at the rank of staff sargent. He was very smart and had a great personality, willing to listen to and care about his boys and offer whatever advise he could.
Our son is currently a SMSGT in the Air Force. 🇺🇸
Thanks for sharing Doug
I still do not understand how a Chief Master Sergeant is below a know nothing second lieutenant.
If a soldier becomes color blind, could he or she able to differentiate 1st and 2nd Lieutenant? How about Major and Lt Col?
I didn't know you could 'become' color blind. I thought it was either you are or are not.
Given that the Air Force has its origins in the Army Air Corps I wonder where the deviation in rank titles came from (specifically Enlisted ranks)
General of the Air Force. 35 years. It's Mickey. A.M.D. I earned The Congressional Medal of Honor and The Silver Star. I am an Astronaut for N.A.S.A. A fighter pilot. A bomber pilot.
I just want to be the few to work on anti gravity aircrafts. Anyone know how high you gotta go to do so??
Sergeants, NCOs. They make the whole she-bang work.
I was in Jr ROTC (High School) in Illinois where I grew up on 4 mile sq Family Farm, and in the ROTC in College first two years. Then my USAAC WWII Fighter Pilot vet. father suddenly passed away of Cancer, weaked by Malaria contracted in Burma or China during the war. He taught me to fly at 14 yo and i was crop dusting while in HS. Junior yr at the Univ I struck a deal with the USAF Reserves, they finish paying for my BSc degree and I go active AF after graduation and off to Vietnam. I trained on Helo's and ground attack Fixed Wings at Hamilton AFB. After 4 years of Crop Dusting in both Piper Pawnees and Korean War Surplus Bell helos, i did more teaching them how ground attack from tree level then learning how to fly their way. On July 2nd I was shipped off to Nam as a Lt with the 20th SOS (Green Hornets) 27th Spl Ops Wing, out of Bien Hoa AFB flying UH-1E and F Gunships on support missions covering Marines and Ranger ops, other suppression ops for ground troops or artillery, and often called in to bailout some trouble the Army Calvary had gotten into and couldn't fix themselves with their own Helos. Later we were moved to Thailand Royal AFB because it was a straighter shot to the northern entry point of the Ho Chi Minh "highway", straffing and blowing up their supply lines on a daily basis when not flying in "the spooks" (CIA) into remote hostile territory or on some kill mission behind the lines in N Vietnam or Laos. I made Capt soon and then Major, and back to Capt for disobeying mission orders and telling off the Brass, because it would have lead to certain loss of life in my squadron, my men and friends. I spent 1970 thru 1973 in SE Asia and stayed a Capt refusing any promotions. I was shot thru one thigh and one calf by .30 cal ground fire, but got us back to the closest Marine outpost. When I came home I taught combat helo tactics for 2 more years and returned to Reserves status for a total 18 years in the USAF retiring as ....... a Captain, 27th Spl Ops Wing. Oh BTW, You do know that Sgts are paid more than a Lt and a Master Sgt is paid more than a Capt. My MSgt, my essential "crew chiefs", who fixed our bird, ran the door gun (UH-1) and was also our Medic to patch us up, was worth every penny of that pay that was more than mine!
We were at Hamilton in the mid 60s
My salute to you Major.
You no doubt earned it Sir .
Glad you made it back and are still here to tell about it .
You're no doubt one hell of a man and flyer of what ever rust bucket they want you to pull combat mission in.
If you we4 around LA
In Calif we'd have to go out and get drunk in honor of those boys who shed their blood so I can type this message on this phone .
How do you say THANX to young men that brave .
I have no clue other the. To go and get drunk with their memory on you mind ,
All the Bird dogging chicks they missed out on , all the good hunting a d fishing and the good times with family and friends
Sum Bitch it's just not right .
But I can't do nothing about it only wish I could .
I'd have split my life with any hero that didn't come back I live one year be lives the next over and over that way he dont have to be dead . Me .
Either.
All I have to do is watch this video a thousand times over and then I'll finally memorize all of the ranks thank you
Thank u to our brave soldiers were so grateful, thankful for u all I have 3 generations of military members in my family plus some day I would love to join military my great grandfather was on one of the beaches on D Day 2 bronze stars 2 purple hearts💜💜 then my grandpa was in Vietnam and my uncle was on the USS Midway in the gulf war thank u to all our veterans
A glaring mistake toward the end of this video, whereupon it’s said that, “No one has ever held the rank of five-star general in the Air Force. During World War II, Hap Arnold held that rank, along with Eisenhower, Marshall, Admiral King, MacArthur…in their branches.
When I went through basic training at Lackland AFB, there was a movie theater on base named Arnold Theater, and the TIs were always quick to point out that it was named for the Air Force’s only Five-star General. Off course, Arnold's position was that of chief of the Army Air Forces in 1945, since the Air Force didn’t become an independent service until 1947. Until that time it was a part of the Army, just as the Marine Corp is part of the Navy.
Do you mind doing Navy Seals ranks?
I retired as an Msgt.(E-7) in 1985.
I think there is too many sergeant ranks in army they should change those ranks for something more interesting instead of 8 different sergeants.......don't you think it's boring?
I thought "Hap" Arnold held the 5 star rank in the Air Force, after holding the 5 star rank in the USAAC. The only man to hold it in two different services.
Man they’ve added a number of new ranks for enlisted men since I was in there.
You're wrong about the GAF, the air force only had one. Henry "Hap" Arnold
Tsgt is go between Jr enlisted and senior NCO.
TSGT, or E6. Technical Sargeant in the backbone of the USAF.
Served in the USAF 65-69 made E4 in early 68. The air Force at that time had a policy of "minimum time in rank" which meant no matter what you had to wait a certain period of time before becoming eligible for promotion. It became very effective as a reenlistment tool as you could be promoted prior to the end of your first enlistment but official date of rank was just prior to discharge or immediately thereafter. Don't know how it is today but it worked pretty well back in 69.
Ranks have changed since I was in the USAF 1969-1973
I was enlisted from '66 to '70 and rose to E-4... would've received E-5, but I left USAF to complete my undergrad degree. In retrospect, I now wish I'd gone AFROTC and applied for a Reserve commission upon graduation. There were fewer options 50 years ago. I'm glad to learn all the military services encourage and support ambitious men and women who want to improve, upgrade, and advance ....either the enlisted or commissioned officer route.
Ranks may change, but the work never ends. LOL
Now, 50+ years later, the USAF as with the other branches, provides much more sophisticated / advanced training and opportunities to improve and upgrade one's professional skills. Also the stench of Viet-Nam has largely disappeared along with the men and women who have retired. That period was challenging for career men and women. Their guts, perseverance, and intelligence + wisdom from their service elevated the military services.
As I've retired from the investment biz, I now perform pro bono (no charge to the client aka "free") financial planning and investment counseling to enlisted and officer clients. I'm gratified at the high-quality people who have entered and grown into highly skilled professionals. In addition to the excellent training schools in the military services, many NCOs have earned undergraduate degrees and, in rare cases, advanced degrees.
I've read there are serious conversations for experienced men and women to receive a higher rank when entering the service. Right now, I understand only people with professional degrees (medicine, law, health services) may enter active duty with a rank above O-1.
In retrospect, during my USAF service, I met and served with many of the finest managers I've ever known in my 60+ years of business.
Ihave to agree that E4 SR airmen and E5 Staff Sgts are the backbone of the service. After serving in Japan and the Philippines w.,, I came back to be xstationed at Edwards AFB. INN THE MOJAVE DESERT. SHORTLY AFTER. MY TRANSFER TO Edward's > became the ward master oof the med surg unit of t he e hospital with 25 med techs working for covering 3 shifts. The nursing staff was. 12 RN first lieutenants under an O4 long service major. It was a good group of. Peoplrr. As a staff sergeant I was also the senior. Single enlistedtd man in the barracks so I became responsible for all the. enlisted men living there. I loved serving. If I had it to do all over again, I would have gone career
Thanks for the vid, I knew the ranks, I just came really to see what each rank does, thats usually the confusing part, very good vid.
Thanks DefensorDoom, glad you like it!
E5 and up are the slave drivers who beat the slaves. E1 to E4.
Same here
Captain is the backbone of the USAF
My Dad, William A. Roffe retired from the Air Force as an E-9 after 22 years. The E-9s run the Air Force.
Retired at 22 years and e-9? Strange 95% of e-9's take that long to get there. You make it that far you stick around to enjoy it and build time in rank for retirement. Not sure I buy your story but ok
Do you think someone joining over 30 can gain respect and rank?
If you are good they do not care about your age they will respect you and you will be promoted
“What does 3 up and 3 down mean to you? “ “End of an inning?” - Good Morning Vietnam
What about the years we didn't have a star in our stripes. A2c, A1c and SRA, Senior Airman. Sergeant had a star. SRA & SGT at that time were both E4's.
I think there is too many sergeant ranks in army they should change those ranks for something more interesting instead of 8 different sergeants.......don't you think it's boring?
So much inspiration from the men and women before my time, WOW!
I've always wondered why silver bars are a higher rank than gold. In civilian life gold > silver.
I enlisted in the AF right after high school (1964). I knew if I didn't I'd get drafted. Sure enough, I got my draft notice a few weeks into AF basic training. We all had a good laugh. I did my 4 yrs & separated. Some 4 1/2 yrs later I went back in. Stayed out too long & lost my E-4 rank. Started over as an E-2. Finally retired as a SMSgt at 23.5 yrs. Doing it the hard way, I made 10 stripes, all told!
will there be an raf one?
At a certain point, I just call them Sergeant, as I would in the Army. Why bother, they’re Sergeants, like us, unless they have the diamonds or stars. Their SSG is our SGT, and used to have a “Buck” SGT at E4, our CPL.
While makling Medical Rounds in the old Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, I picked up a chart that said, "O 10". General Westmorland. I made sure to not go anywhere near that room....
There's nothing confusing about Air Force ranks! They are no different than the ranks of the rest of the US military. Among enlisted US military ranks there are nine ranks, E-1 to E 9. Only the titles of those ranks differ from each branch of the US military! As for the officer ranks, the ranks are the same also, O-1 to O-10. The Army, Air Force and Marine Corp officer rank titles are the same. The Navy and Coast Guard have different officer rank titles. The insignias of the enlisted ranks are different for each US military rank. Although the Navy and Coast Guard enlisted insignias are almost the same. The officer insignias are identical in ALL US military branches.
In July of 60, while in tech school, I lost my first stripe. A week later when everyone else was getting their second stripe, I got my first stripe back. I don't remember when I got my second, but when I was discharged, I had 5 years in grade for my third. Tells you something, doesn't it? The Air Force doesn't like Alpha males!!
My dad was an airman in the Air Force, retired as a Technical Sergeant (E-6) in 1998. I would say an E-6 is the backbone of the Air Force and the other branches.
The USAF has E-1 thru E-9 as "ranks" anything else is an office or special assignment given to someone with a "rank", such as Chief Master Sargent of the USAF, which is the highest rated Chief Master Sargent in the USAF, still just a Chief Master Sargent. While important in their own right, please stop confusing these for people as ranks.
I became an A1c straight out of basic. Served as a medtechended up as an E5 SSGT
This was from a poster I saw, in one of the Chief Master Sgt's offices.
2nd LT.: He can listen to the words of God, but not see or speak to God.
1st LT: He's allowed to look at God but say nothing and pass the word of God down to 2nd LTs.
Captain: He can look at God, take orders from God, maybe even talk with God, but must follow God's orders.
Major: He may stand with God, talk but only for short periods of time. He too passes the word of God down to those under him.
LT Colonel: He can talk with God, ask questions, even joke once and a while with God.
Colonel: HE can joke with God, make policy, and laugh with him, as well as passing down the orders from God.
Chief Master Sgt. He is God. Without him, nothing works, nothing gets done. And nothing flies as it didn't get fixed.
Me ... I was just one of those lowly three stripe Sgts, one of the last before they made them Senior Airmen.
i recently enlisted into the Air Force Reserve! i’m becoming an E2 Airman since i did two years of Air Force JROTC as a cadet Senior Airman! for the E4 rank Senior Airman it used to be called Buck Sergeant or Sergeant during the Cold War and Vietnam War era since it has three stripes! to add on to that the Air Force used to have Warrant Officer ranks because the Air Force was under the Army during WWI and WWII as the Army Air Corps and Army Air Force and Chief Master Sergeant used to be two stripes on top but now it’s three stripes on top because the rank insignias changed in the 1990’s when the Air Force was going through a huge change after the Cold War ended with that Master Sergeant used to be one stripe in the bottom and Senior Master Sergeant used to be one stripe on top! 👍🏽
I think there is too many sergeant ranks in the army they should change those ranks for something more interesting instead of 8 different sergeants.......don't you think it's boring? once you hit sergeant then you with this rank forever imagine having 8 different lieutenants instead of captain, major, colonel and general.
Rest in peace General Hammond.
Can’t understand why the Air Force went with the Tiger Stripe pattern. The Pattern was originally adopted from the South Vietnamese Army for close range jungle warfare by US Special Forces during the war.
There are 9 enlisted ranks in the USAF. Count the stripes and add 1 and you know the pay grade.
NCO ranks don't begin until E-5 SSgt.
Me, a TSgt, that's been in barely 8 years lol
Great summary and explanation of the USAF ranks thank you.
Not a problem at all hk schubert, thanks for watching!
@@PremierHistory I can never understand the Army, Navy, nor the Air Force. I came from the Marine Corps so that I understand.
I am 39 years retired from the USAF. [15 years as a crypto-linguist and 5 years as a First Sergeant. Your descriptions are sorely lacking.
When the Air Force created the rank of Chief Master Sargent, my father had the honor of being in the first group elevated. When he entered an NCO club you could often hear people say "Zebra in the room" He spent 35 years in the Air Force (he was there on the first day that the Air Force was created, having spent WW2 in the Navy) he found every loop hole to stay in. I'm sure when they finally retired him they had to change the locks on his office to keep him out.
My Great great grand father Who is in Vietnam and he was a major
I’m old skool 3 stripes is a Buck sergeant. It’s too army now six down one up is senior MSGT six down two up Chief MSGT. Again it’s too army looking now to me. My opinion don’t mean I’m right.
In Indian Air Force i find only Sergeant rank to be the backbone of the service.They can carry out tasks and supervise competently. They are vested with the required certifications.
Please can you do the other branches of the UK armed forces
Will there be a premier history discord server
Something to consider Homy!
I had a Great Uncle who served, received a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force.
Remember, in the Navy, unlike Army and AF, CAPTAIN is important.
For enlisted, the Staff Sergeant. For officers, the Captain. These guys run the Air Force and it would be lost without them. I served for 27 years in the Air Force.
I was in the Air Force for 15 years & a Staff Sergeant but i retired in 1984.
I think there is too many sergeant ranks in army they should change those ranks for something more interesting instead of 8 different sergeants.......don't you think it's boring? once you hit sergeant then you with this rank forever imagine having 8 different lieutenants instead of major colonel and general.
@@Voltomesssergeant literally means servant in Latin and the officer ranks were created by the French and organized the trusted by the British. Military ranks are a lot older than the country. The reason why Lt Gen is higher because it used to be called Sergeant Major General and 4 star general was called captain general that’s why George Washington was referred to as captain despite having general rank displayed
For all you Air Force guys, a little history. The last C130 out f Vietnam is at the from gate of LRAFB. Cool history about it.
The entire comment section making this video about them and their, uncle dad, grandpa, auntie, nephew, grandma, sisters cousins brothers dad. Aunties grandmas little brothers uncles dads best friend. 😒